taboo question or fair game (discounting)?

[WisC4]

What is the consensus on dealer discounting off MSRP?  I had thought 20% was fairly standard; am I mistaken or does it depend?

[chopedogg88]

Depends on the client, how much they are buying, how much are you paying for labor, etc.  I would say 20% is on the high end but yes some dealers do discount it down that much (but probably make it back on labor $).  It also depends on the specific products, as the dealer margin is not the same on all products...even within just the Control4-branded line of products.

[RAV]

This ain't mattresses.

[Kamlumlyl]

So there's no way to get more than 20% off?

[DawnGordon]

Depends on the dealer, the product and the amount of the system.

[Time2Jet]

On 8/28/2024 at 10:01 AM, RAV said:

This ain't mattresses.

lol, nice

[Cinegration]

While I understand the desire for a discount, we generally don't offer discounts as a standard practice. On rare occasions, we may offer up to 10%, but anything beyond that raises the question of why we're taking on the project. Our expertise and ability to execute each job with precision come at a cost, which is balanced between both product and labor. We invest heavily in our team and their technological skills, so offering discounts can feel like we're undervaluing the knowledge and commitment we bring to every project.

 

 

[South Africa C4 user]

This is definitely a complicated question.  I am a fairly large customer (and understand that I am my dealer’s biggest client over the years - probably less so in recent years).  As a consequence my dealer gives me a standard discount that I assume (understand) most of his other clients don’t get.  I appreciate the discount and it is at a level that feels meaningful to me and doesn’t (as far as I know) make him feel undervalued.  Occasionally I get a better discount (eg I think he feels bad for me as I recently replaced a perfectly functional EA1  for a Core1 to get Apple Music and my Neeo battery died so I am upgrading to a Halo Touch.  Both of these purchases came with a higher discount than normal).

In essence, I would assume that the laws of supply and demand impact price and “large” customers will attract a discount and smaller customers won’t.

Note: this is all guesswork.

[South Africa C4 user]

Maybe to add to this.  I know my dealer well enough to know that he won’t overcharge me and he knows me well enough to know that I am not about to dump him for another dealer.

[cshepard]

On 9/30/2024 at 8:44 AM, Kamlumlyl said:

So there's no way to get more than 20% off?

What makes you think anyone should give you that much of a discount? We set our prices based on what we need to make some profit & stay in business. We aren’t charity workers & we’re not selling insulin.

[eggzlot]

I don’t think this question is a slight to dealers

1) pricing isn’t posted anywhere publicly

2) American shopping culture is look for sales - see Prime Day next week.  
 

I’m proud to say I’ve asked for and received a discount at pottery barn and crate and barrel when spending $$$$ on furniture.  
 

my family used to own a mom and pop retail store and people always asked for a discount if spending a lot or asked when we were running our next sale

your view on if you should discount is another story. But not sure why harsh vibes pushed the way of someone asking

you walk in and pay sticker for your car? (ok maybe the last 3-4 years but I’m talking historical)

Edited Wednesday at 06:57 PM by eggzlot

[IBZICON]

As @chopedogg88 mentioned the dealer margin is not the same across C4 products.  For example, earlier this year I ordered a new Core controller and Luma products for 57% off list MRSP and other items were 37% less MRSP.  If a customer knows what they want and is replacing equipment, it's an easy sale for the dealer that a discount should be offered-- basic economies of scale.   With multiple dealers now in an area and customers getting multiple quotes, there will be discounting.  Recently ordered two Hallo touches at 25% off, as I understand the dealer margin is significantly less for the remotes.  An educated customer is aware of the step tier Partner Rewards program.  

[DawnGordon]

There are occasional sales for Control4 products via Cotrol4 dealers. See the For Sale section here for example. However, these do not occur as often as perspective customers might like.